371 Wallace Avenue

Modernists and minimalists alike, beware. The Wallace Station Lofts are bursting with character, history, and 100-year-old charm. For this reason, the hard lofts at 371 Wallace Avenue are likely to be swept up in a hurry by antique hunters or historians.

Even before one has the chance to enter the lofts themselves, the front entryway is enough to have some ready to say “I do.” The arched doorway leads into a wood-paneled foyer that immediately reminds residents and guests of times gone by.

And while the scarlet door has clearly received a coat of paint since then, the exterior was constructed back in 1929. The building at 371 Wallace Avenue was originally home to a factory where glue for stamps was produced. Historians may even have fun digging into the modern name for the building — the Wallace Station Lofts — that alludes to a railway station that once inhabited the neighbourhood.

Almost 80 years after its conception, the humble, red brick factory was finally converted into hard lofts fit for some very fortunate homeowners. During the renovation process, the structure was divided into just 38 units, maintaining an intimate atmosphere for residents and resulting in a modest number of Toronto condos for sale in the building.

Even while developers of the Wallace Station Lofts prioritized the preservation of the antique building, they still managed to slip in a couple of important amenities for current homeowners to enjoy. Parking, storage, and a gym make life easier for residents, while the party room is available for those who enjoy playing host.

The homes at 371 Wallace Avenue were certainly planned by taking the building’s heritage into consideration. Rather than preserve only the shell of the building, interior elements such as wooden posts and beams, exposed brick, and hardwood flooring are all here to stay. Warehouse-style windows allow natural sunlight to illuminate these elements, as well as the modern additions: floating spiral staircases; polished kitchens.

In terms of size, the homes at the Wallace Station Lofts vary, beginning at approximately 650 square feet and reaching to a sprawling 2,300. Rare, mezzanine-style layouts can also be found at 371 Wallace Avenue, with ceilings in these homes reaching to a staggering 14 feet. And particularly noteworthy are the coach house units, which span one or two storeys, and boast private rooftop terraces of their own.

Dovercourt & Wallace Emerson-Junction area could be considered one of the most underrated in the city. It’s not that its charm isn’t understood — it just isn’t recognized by the masses. Thankfully, then, this area manages to stay calm and tranquil, even from within Toronto’s city limits.

In fact, major attractions are still within close reach for residents. The Royal Ontario Museum, for example, takes about 20 minutes to reach via car or TTC, while High Park is also only 15 minutes away on foot.

Alternatively, many other distinctive areas can be explored with 371 Wallace Avenue as a starting off point. The Junction - West End, Roncesvalles, and Dovercourt & Wallace Emerson-Junction, each have a unique flavour of their own. And what these areas all have in common is trendsetting Torontonian’s recent interest in each.

When the time comes to get shopping, residents needn’t go far either: A large Loblaws can be found at the corner of Bloor and Dundas West, next door to a sizeable LCBO as well. If Loblaws doesn’t suffice, FreshCo is another great option, located just to the north.

In about 7 minutes on foot, residents can find themselves at the Dundas West subway station on the Bloor-Danforth line. From here, traveling around the city is simple, even without a car. Passengers on the subway can ride east in order to connect with the Yonge-University-Spadina line, or make use of the streetcars that run along Dundas Street West, as well as the buses on Dupont Street, Keele Street, and Lansdowne Avenue.

For those exiting the city altogether, the Bloor Go/UP station is also right around the corner. This makes a trip to Pearson International Airport only 20 minutes long — and that’s without a car.

Drivers, on the other hand, can use Bloor Street West to reach both the city centre and the suburbs. A quick drive west will land one at the 427, which offers connections with the 401 to the north and the Queen Elizabeth Way to the south.

Those who prefer to cycle can also ride around the city with ease. While they may not extend as far west as the Wallace Station Lofts just yet, those heading into the busy downtown core can connect with bike lanes along Bloor Street once they hit Ossington. The West Toronto Rail Path is another great route for north-south cycling.